Mellisa’s POV
All around me, the darkness pulsed as if it were alive. It encircled me, tightening its grip and drawing me farther into the chasm. I was immobile. I was having trouble breathing.
Then a deep, old voice rumbled across the darkness.
“The chosen vessel is you.”
I felt a chill go down my back. I raised my head and looked into the two bright eyes that pierced the dark emptiness.
I gritted my teeth and said, “I don’t belong to you.”
The sound of the black god’s laughter echoed through my bones. “Child, you don’t understand. You were mine forever.
I struggled to get out and shook my head. “No. I am responsible for my destiny. My route.
“Do you?” The shadows moved, encircling me like a snake. So why do you feel that way? The strength within you I own it. It has always been.
I balled my fists up. Deep within my chest, a tiny, warm light flickered. My magic. My will.
I spat, “You don’t control me.” “I’m going to fight.”
The ruins trembled with the god’s laughter. “All right, fight. Let us observe your longevity.
“Elissa!” Kane’s voice sounded frantic and harsh.
I looked around. His body was still weak from the curse that had almost killed him, and he was having trouble standing. He would not, however, fall. He stumbled toward me, his golden eyes blazing with rage.
He bared his teeth and hissed, “Let her go.” “Come for me instead if you want a fight.”
The black god let out a sigh. “Alpha, you’re broken. You are unable to stand without shaking.
With his claws extending, Kane lunged forward, but the deity hardly moved. He was flung across the ruins like a rag doll by a surge of evil force.
“Kane!” He coughed as he attempted to get back up after colliding with the falling stone when I screamed.
Fury consuming me, I turned back to the god. “Cease this!”
“I’m just telling you the truth.” The voice of the god coiled like smoke around me. “He is frail. He can’t keep you safe. Nobody can.
Even though my hands were shaking, I wasn’t going to give up. “I don’t require protection from anyone.”
There was a deep laugh in the air. “All right. After that, stand by yourself.
As it moved forward, the blackness encircled me more tightly. I was immobile when Kane yelled my name. Couldn’t defend themselves.
I was alone, for the first time.
Lydia whispered as she flipped through the old scrolls spread out on the table, “Something’s wrong.” Her piercing silver eyes scanned each word. “This conflict… It all doesn’t make sense.
Zephyr’s black eyebrows were knitted as he bent over. “What do you mean?”
Lydia’s face became white as she tapped a section. “The conflict with Darius.” The predictions… He was never the focus of them.
Zephyr scowled. However, he assaulted the kingdom. He-
“No,” Lydia spoke firmly. “Darius was never the issue. He was a diversion.
Zephyr’s look expanded. “So, who was the true adversary?”
Lydia took a deep breath. “The god of darkness.”
Zephyr stiffened. Melissa… She is with him.
Lydia’s hands shook. “She will no longer be Melissa if we don’t put an end to this right away.”
Zephyr reached for his blade. Then we’d better get moving. Right now.
The dark deity towered over me, and the ruins trembled furiously. His shadows encircled me and pressed like frost across my flesh. With my heart hammering against my ribs, I breathed in rapid gasps.
“Do you sense it?” His tone was mesmerizing and low. “The truth concealed within you?”
I fought back, clenching my jaw. “What you say is irrelevant to me. You will never have me.
My chest was touched by a chilly, invisible hand. I felt a searing, electric agony that spread like wildfire. My eyesight blurred as I gasped.
“Remember your identity.”
My mind was flooded with memories that weren’t mine. I had never seen these voices, persons, or locations before. I kept hearing a name said quietly in the back of my mind.
A name I was unfamiliar with.
Nevertheless, I felt it was my somehow.
Everything dimmed.
Then nothing was there.